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Player in the Pod - Ben Botica

We spoke with Harlequins’ Ben Botica who was back at school in West London, where he is using rugby to help kids with their maths basics in an Aviva Tackling Numbers session.

Harlequins have a Challenge Cup semi this weekend, and will also be looking to send local rivals London Irish to the Championship next season while keeping their slim hopes of making the Premiership playoffs alive, which is still a ‘mathematical’ possibility!

What has you running around school playing fields, and what is the Aviva Tackling Numbers program?

Making it (maths) more fun, because obviously it can get quite boring in the classroom. We’re trying to help kid’s aged 7-9 get foundation skills for financial literacy. It’s something I didn’t have when I was younger, I struggled with maths. I remember growing up in New Zealand and sports people would come to the school, and you’d want to learn more. Hopefully these kids can take something away.

I want to talk a bit about rugby. You’ve worked with Connor O’Shea for a number of years, will he be a big loss to Harlequins?

Yes, of course! We’re still not sure who’ll be coming in to replace him but he really wants to see the boys flourish. It wasn’t only about winning for him, but winning the way that Quins play. He’s always harped on about getting the best out of the boys and playing a brand of rugby that people like to watch. All the way through my time at Quins he’s always backed up the boys with the running rugby we like to play, he’ll always back us 100% so it’ll be a big loss. I think we’ll now see a different Italy team, where they’ll probably play a bit more. It’s a new challenge for him, and an exciting time for Italy one would imagine.

You’re next league match is ‘do or die for London Irish. Is it fair to say you don’t want them to recover from relegation on your watch?

It’s one of those things. They’re in a very tough position. It comes down to us, and we’re a team that doesn’t like to lose, so unfortunately we’re going to be going out there for five points and what will be will be. That’s unfortunate for them, but they’re in the premiership which is a tight league, anyone can beat anyone on the day and someone’s got to be relegated. They and Saracens are our local rivals so there’s no love lost there.

The playoffs are still mathematically possible for Quins, are you up for the challenge?

Of course. Our minds are focused on this Friday first and foremost with the (Challenge Cup) semi-final against Grenoble. I’d imagine next week we’ll be talking about, you know, getting five points and the rest is up to itself, whether the other teams (Leicester, Northampton and Sale) lose both games. But there is the mathematical chance and we just have to give ourselves the best opportunity to do it.

You really don’t want to end this season without a trophy do you?

Exactly, we’re in the business of winning silverware, and this could be our only chance to do it so we’ll go out there Friday night guns blazing.

Hold onto your beers folks. The season isn’t over yet.

Interview by Andrew McNair - Written for www.TheRugbyPod.com

Ben Botica was speaking at an Aviva Tackling Numbers session. In partnership with Premiership Rugby, #AvivaTacklingNumbers helps 7-9 year olds put foundations in place for better financial skills later in life through the power of rugby. To find out more and take a maths test, visit aviva.co.uk/tacklingnumbers.